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Mali Uromastyx: The Last Waltz for Lizards, Turtles and Snakes, oh my!

© Paym Bergson

I gave up my living room and dining room long ago to allow for a comfortable environment for the zoo which lives here - we even eat with the turtles beside us in their indoor pond. We have a condo of home built tanks for the lizards (remember, all those Beardies you've read about before?)- and the top tank contains a couple you've never heard about before from me: Harley and Quinn -Mali Uromastyx; Mali Extraordinaire.

Mali's are a species of Uromastyx from Africa. Like all lizards they need the dry heat, basking area and of course a cooling area as well. Similar to our Beardies, they need the proper lighting and cave hiding areas. Their food is mostly cooked veggies - and NO water is given. Nada. And you do NOT spray them either - their spiked tails would probably develop a mold. These amazing creatures actually absorb the liquid from their food effectively. Of all the lizards we have, the Mali's actually, well, urinate the most! Unbelievable to see the amount of liquid these creatures expel! I'm still trying to figure it out - I'll make a million in diuretic pills.

Most Mali's are quite shy - ours are no exception - EXCEPT when they decide to go adventuring. Quinn (the male) has a habit of opening his glass door and wandering....now, understand - he's in the top tank of three - and the ledge is not that wide - and of course I have found him hanging on for dear life to that ledge - tail braced on whatever surface it can find, front paws (arms?) hanging on, and back legs scrambling! Harley of course just watches him.

Well, he has now managed to somehow safely get down and tour the world of our home - I've found him numerous times in varying places in the kitchen or under a couch. Harley lets me know by beating her tail against a wall until I come running in to see what the ruckus is all about- then gives me "the look" - that "yep, he's wandered again! What are we gonna do with that man?" look.

His pride somewhat hurt that he's been found, but his stomach happy when he's back in the tank and a peace offering of a meal worm is taken, Quinn stomps off into his cave and gives a last whisk of his spiked tail.

Oh yes, the species is not supposed to like mealworms. Tell that to Harley and Quinn.

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